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Although Mazda isn't represented at Le Mans, the company will be back next year. They will showcase their Skyactiv-D clean diesel engine to LMP 2 teams. Photo by MAZDA RACING

Mazda coming back to Le Mans

June 15, 2012

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Mazda isn't racing at Le Mans this year, but its executives made one of the most significant announcements here on Saturday: Mazda Motorsports will sell racing versions of its new Skyactiv-D clean diesel engines to teams competing in the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and, of course, in the American Le mans Series. Mazda was the first, and thus far only, Japanese Asian manufacturer to score an overall win at the race in 1991.

Mazda's primary competition in LMP2 will be Nissan, which is already supplying engines to many of the teams. Nissan's presence at Le Mans this year is enormous for that reason, as well as for being engine supplier to the Delta Wing.

The Mazda diesel will also be eligible to participate in the new GX class in Grand-Am next year with minor changes. That program has already been announced, with Sylvian Tremblay and his SpeedSource group taking the lead. The engine will likely have about 400 horsepower in the GX configuration, 450 in the LMP2 version.

“This reopens our love affair with Le Mans,” said Jay Amestoy, vice-president of Mazda Motorsports North America. “In 1991 we made history, winning with rotary technology. Now we're looking to return to the winner's circle with what we believe will be the most advanced and cleanest production-based powerplant the sport has ever seen. We'll do it in current Mazda style, with engines being available for sale to European and U.S. customers competing in the LMP2 class for both the World Endurance Championship and the American Le Mans Series.”

The engines are being developed jointly by Mazda Motor Corporation, Mazda North American Operations and SpeedSource. Dyno testing has already begun and on-track testing begins in late 2012. The engines will be stock-block Mazda 2.2-liter diesel four-cylinder, dual-stage turbocharged powerplants. According to John Doonan, MNAO's Director of Mazda Motorsports, “will deliver outstanding performance and fuel economy coupled with the kind of quality, durability and reliability needed to produce great street cars and win endurance races.”

Mazda had a non-running LMP2 show car at Le Mans, based on a Lola platform and assembled by Multimatic.

Dempsey Racing is expected to become the first LMP2 customer for the Mazda diesel. Dempsey Racing is co-owned by racer/actor Patrick Dempsey, which has been racing Mazda RX-8s in the Grand-Am GT class since 2007 with their highlight being a podium finish at the 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Dempsey and his team plan to race in LMP2 at Le Mans in 2013.